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16:05 | SaturdayPOETIC IMAGINATION

Arsenal closing on Aubameyang, but could have to let Giroud leave

Arsenal remain hopeful that they will have a club record deal for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang completed before Wednesday’s transfer deadline.

The Gunners have been locked in talks with Dortmund for more than a week, but they had been unable to strike a deal. Dortmund are standing firm on wanting £60million for the Gabon striker, who is keen on making the move to the Emirates.

Arsenal had been hoping to land Aubameyang for closer to £50million, but they have had a couple of offers turned down and realise they will have to get closer to £60million and sources close to the club believe they are close to agreeing terms.

Aubameyang was booed by some Dortmund fans in the weekend draw at Freiburg, and it seems that will have been his farewell appearance for the club.

Bookmakers had re-opened their Aubameyang markets on him joining Arsenal, but they were quickly closed again – as they anticipate the deal being done.

One thing delaying the Aubameyang move is that Dortmund would ideally like a replacement and this could kick-off a triangle of deals.

Dortmund would like Michy Batshuayi from Chelsea, who in-turn are now looking at Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud – so Arsenal getting Aubameyang could com down to them letting Giroud leave.

Giroud does not want to leave London and had been linked to West Ham, but now Chelsea could be an option after their move for Roma’s Edin Dzeko hit the buffers over the Bosnian’s terms.